Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a Tm within the range of from about 65 to about 74° C., while the Tm's are within about 5° C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in “multiplexing”, using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have Tm's which are greater than 50° C. and are within 15° C. of each other.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of human cytomegaloviral DNA and a second target DNA can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a Tm within the range of from about 65 to about 74° C., while the Tm's are within about 5° C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of hCMV DNA and other target DNA's using multiple capture probes, in “multiplexing”. All of the capture probes have Tm's which are greater than 50° C. and are within 15° C. of each other.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a Tm within the range of from about 65 to about 74° C., while the Tm's are within about 5° C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in “multiplexing”, using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have Tm's which are greater than 50° C. and are within 15° C. of each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and test kits for the amplification and detection of nucleic acids from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and/or type 2. The methods use multiple primer sets to amplify all subtypes of HIV-1, including group M and group O isolates, and all subtypes of HIV-2.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a T.sub.m within the range of from about 65.degree. to about 74.degree. C., while the T.sub.m 's are within about 5.degree. C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in "multiplexing", using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have T.sub.m 's which are greater than 50.degree. C. and are within 15.degree. C. of each other.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a T.sub.m within the range of from about 65.degree. to about 74.degree. C., while the T.sub.m 's are within about 5.degree. C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in "multiplexing", using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have T.sub.m 's which are greater than 50.degree. C. and are within 15.degree. C. of each other.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a T.sub.m within the range of from about 65.degree. to about 74.degree. C., while the T.sub.m 's are within about 5.degree. C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in "multiplexing", using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have T.sub.m 's which are greater than 50.degree. C. and are within 15.degree. C. of each other.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a T.sub.m within the range of from about 65.degree. to about 74.degree. C., while the T.sub.m 's are within about 5.degree. C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in "multiplexing", using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have T.sub.m 's which are greater than 50.degree. C. and are within 15.degree. C. of each other.

Abstract: A target nucleic acid can be detected in a semi-quantitative fashion by passing it over detection deposits in a test element. The detection deposits include particles affixed to the test element, some of which particles have capture probe attached thereto, and other particles having no capture probe. The deposits have varying amounts of capture probe so that the signal obtained when the target nucleic acid is captured thereon can be semi-quantitatively correlated to the amount of target nucleic acid in the specimen. This method of detection can be used in nucleic acid hybridization assays or following amplification methods, including polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: This invention provides a rapid and highly effective method for extracting nucleic acids from cells or virions without the use of proteolytic enzymes. Extraction is accomplished within a few minutes using a lysing composition comprising a buffer, a source of a DNA polymerase cofactor, a stabilizer and at least one nonionic surfactant which will release nucleic acids from cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes of cells or virions. The resulting mixture is heated to boiling for up to fifteen minutes, and the nucleic acids are recovered for amplification using polymerase chain reaction. No proteolytic enzyme is used in the extraction process.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of a target retroviral DNA (such as HIV-I DNA) can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of that target DNA and one or more additional target DNA's. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a T.sub.m within the range of from about 65.degree. to about 74.degree. C., while all of the T.sub.m 's are within about 5.degree. C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in "multiplexing", using multiple capture probes, all of which have T.sub.m 's which are greater than 50.degree. C. and within 15.degree. C. of each other.

Abstract: An element has been prepared which is useful for the detection of nucleic acids in various formats. The element has a sealable support on which is disposed a nucleic acid reagent composition. The composition is a mixture of a nucleic acid reagent composed of polymeric particles to which an oligonucleotide is covalently attached. The particles are prepared from a first polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 70.degree. C. and have an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 3 micrometers. The reagent is adhered to the support using a water insoluble adhesive comprising a second polymer which has a glass transition temperature which is at least about 30.degree. C. less than the glass transition temperature of the first polymer. The adhesive is present in the composition at from about 1 to about 20 weight percent. This element provides high sensitivity and low background in hybridization and other nucleic acid assays.

Abstract: There are described a device and method for doing confined reactions such as PCR amplification and detection, wherein solids (e.g., beads) used to obtain separation between bound and "free" label reagents, are transferred from region to region, specifically through a wash liquid so as to wash off the "free" label reagent from the solids. Separate chambers have dividers that are overcome by piercing or by liquification, to create passageways for the transfer of the solids. The passageways remain contained within the device.

Abstract: This invention provides a rapid and highly effective method for extracting nucleic acids from cells or virions without the use of proteolytic enzymes. Extraction is accomplished within a few minutes using a lysing composition comprising a buffer, a source of a DNA polymerase cofactor, a stabilizer and at least one nonionic surfactant which will release nucleic acids from cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes of cells or virions. The resulting mixture is heated to boiling for up to fifteen minutes, and the nucleic acids are recovered for amplification using polymerase chain reaction. No proteolytic enzyme is used in the extraction process.

Abstract: An aqueous wash solution is useful for the detection of herpes simplex virus in a biological specimen. This solution has a pH of from about 9 to about 11.5, and consists essentially of an alcoholamine or a salt thereof and a nonionic surfactant. The solution is used to was uncomplexed materials from a complex of herpes simplex antigen and antibodies thereto. The wash solution can be supplied as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: Herpes simplex viral antigen can be readily determined by contacting a specimen containing Herpes simplex virus of herpes simplex viral-infected cells with polymeric particles which have a surface area of from about 0.1 to about 600 m.sup.2 /g. Within a few minutes of this contact, antigen which is bound to the particles is contacted with antibodies thereto so as to form an immunological complex on the particles. Bound complex is separated from uncomplexed materials, and the presence of the complex is then appropriately determined. A kit for determining herpes comprises the particles described above, a disposable test device having a microporous membrane and antibodies to herpes simplex viral antigen.

Abstract: An aqueous wash solution is useful for the detection of herpes simplex virus in a biological specimen. This solution has a pH of from about 9 to about 11.5, and consists essentially of an alcoholamine or a salt thereof and a nonionic surfactant. The solution is used to wash uncomplexed materials from a complex of herpes simplex antigen and antibodies thereto. The wash solution can be supplied as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: An extraction composition has been found useful for extracting antigen from herpes simplex virus. This composition has a pH of from about 8.5 to about 12, and comprises an alcoholamine or salt thereof, a nonionic surfactant comprised of a condensation product of an alkylphenol and ethylene oxide, cholic acid or a salt or derivative thereof and an anionic surfactant. Extraction of antigen is accomplished by contacting the extraction composition with a specimen suspected of containing herpes organisms under suitable conditions. Extracted antigen can be determined by forming an immunological complex with antibodies thereto and by detecting that complex. The extraction composition can be supplied as part of a diagnostic test kit.

Abstract: A filter providing at least two different filtering pore sizes for coarse and fine filtering, and a kit containing such filter along with an immunoassay test device containing a membrane. The membrane is used to separate bound immunoassay labels from free labels. The coarse and fine filtering are provided preferably by two different, serially arranged filters, the filter with the fine pore size being selected with a pore size similar to that of the membrane of the assay device.